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J. F. WHITE THEFT PREVENTING DEVICE July 17, 1923., y 1,462,405

Filedocp. 2, 1920 l2 sheets-sheet 1 Patentedlluly l?, i923.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrice.

JOHN r. WHITE, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, assIGNon trowrIIrrJ PRODUCTS COMPANY, or CHICAGQILLINOIS, A coRroItA'rIoNor ILLINOIS.

- THEFTi-PREVENTIKNG DEVICE.

npplicanonfied october a9, Iseo. seriaiNo. 420,549.

To @ZZ fwimim't may concern.' i

Be it known thatl, JOHN F. VVIII'ru, a citizen of the United States, residing vat Chicago, in the county of vCook and kState of Illinois, have invented certainfnew and useful improvements in Theft-Preventing Devices, of which the following is aspeci-k` tication.

This invention relates generally to theft preventing devices, and more particularly to a device for controlling the operation of a screw nut or similar element utilized` as a securing, attaching or retaining member yfor holding' parts in assembled relationship. In another aspect the invention relates to a form of closure or stopper adapted to be mounted upon the mouthfofa conduit, a vessel or other container' in a manner effective to retainr the device against un.- authorized removal therefrom. One object of theV invention is the provision of a theft preventingdevice inthe nature of a nut controlling device, where-y by a retaining mem-ber suchas a1nut,fs'creW cap, or the like, may be adjusted/andfseated upon a suitable pipe, post, orVthe like in such fashion as to retain an object thereon. and which device may then be purposely disabled, so far as operation ofthe nut'or retainingy member is concerned, so that the latter cannot be operated for detachment, excepting in .intended fashion through means or information supposedly under control of an authorized person only.

Another Igeneral Objectis the provision of such a device whichinay be adapted to a great variety of uses and applications with-r out alteration of itsy essential features7 which may be manufactured economically and which will operate effectively.' under trying conditions of use Without impairment of its function or utility. Another object is the provision of such la device especially adapted to be incorporatedy with a fitting or accessory instrument intended for attachment to certain mountings,

*the provision of such a device wherein the appropriate for use on automobile radiator i tubes asa means for operating a closureand retaining an instrument or ornament.

- A still further and `important object of the invention is the provision of a construction for a device of the sort described whereby proper positioning of movable portions .for .the purposev of unlocking or detaching may be made without requiring visual attention to the device, wherebysuch yoperationrina)T be accomplished in the dark.

yVarious other objects and advantages, both general andjspecific, of the invention 'will be pointed out'hereinaftery or will,y be obvious upon an understandingq of the illus vtrative embodiment herein disclosed or will be indicated in theappended claims.

In the accompanying drawingforming a part of this'specification I have shown. a

` preferred form-and modifications `thereof for thepurpose of illustrating the invention,

. but it is to be yunderstood thatl do not regard. this particular ydisclosure as exhaustive of the ranffeor yvariety of modifications oradaptations In whichfthe essential features (of the invention maybe utilized. The

disclosure, therefore, is vnot vto be regarded as limiting the inventionshort of'its true scope. .n p

p In the said drawing I Fig.. 1 represents a sectional elevation of an embodimentof theinvention illustrating its application to a radiator tube closure;

Fig. Qis across section substantially on une 2 2@ Fig. I; l 1

Fig. 3. is a detail, ,beingian elevation of the formI of retainingr member shown in Figs. l and 2; p

Fig. -1 is another detail, being a diametricalsection of the housing member shown in Figjl; n f y v` y Fig. 5 is a view similar yto Fig. 3 but sho-wing` a modified arrangement of lock connec-y tion; c

L Fig. 6 is aview similarto 4tk but showclose joint is provided.

ing a modified form of lock member suitable for cooperation with the form of retaining member illustrated. in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is ak sectional View on line 7 7, of Fig. l, illustrating the lock dials.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of a device embodying my improved audible or tactile indicator for the positioning of the locking portions.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of the same;

Fig. 10 is a diametrical section of the operating member of such a device showing its association with the retaining member viewing the same in the direction of the arrow 10 in Fig. 9;

11 is a similar diametrical section but looking in the direction indicated by the arrow 11 of Fig. 9, and

Fig. 1Q is a sectional Velevation of a .modified embodiment showing an adaptation of the invention to an internally threaded tube.

Referring to the drawings in detail by means of the reference characters applied, let it be understood that the numeral 1 designates the upper extremity of a radiator tube of an automobile, having its upper portion screw-threaded or otherwise formed for the attachment and adjustment thereon of a retaining member 2. This is here illustrated in the form of a collar substantially cylindrical exteriorly and formed internally for adjustable engagement with the mounting 1, on which it may be adjusted by rotary movement. When designedL for the purpose of securing a tight closure, this retaining member is preferably provided with an inwardly directed flange t adapted to overlie the rim of the mounting 1, and forming a seat for an upper packing ring 6 and for a lower packing ring 5 adapted to bear upon the upper surface of the mounting 1. Encompassing the retaining member 2 is a housing member 7, preferably formed with reference to t-he retaining member so that they are held in concentric relationship for relative rotary movement, and the two may be retained in assembled relationship by means of a ring 8 secured at the open side of the housing below the retaining member. Where the device is designed as a closure, the housing has a cover portion overlying the flange 4 and making contact with the packing ring 6 carried thereby, so that a H This cover portion may constitute a mounting place for an instrument or ornament, designated by the character C, and the housing has a depending skirt portion encircling the retaining member, which skirt portion carries laterally projecting arm portions 9, one of which may be formed solid and the other of which is bored longitudinally. Rotatably mounted on the outer extremity of the arm members 9 are balls or other handle members 10,

preferablyof similar design and contour. Seated within the longitudinally bored arm member is a rotatable shaft 11, held against withdrawal by suitable means, here illustrated bypin 12 seated in the arm 9 and adapted to travel in the space afforded by a reduced portion 1.4.- of the shaft 11.r Said reduced portion is of suitable extent to permit a certain amount of sliding movement of the shaft 11. At its outer end the shaft 11 is fixed tothe handle member 10 so that it may be rotated and moved longitudinally by manipulation thereof. At the inner eX- tremity of the shaft 11 is mounted an engaging member 15 adapted for engagement with the retaining member 2 when in an intended position determined by the rotary adjustment of housing 7 and the shaft 11. In the form illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and i the engaging member 15 is in the form of a cylindrical lug or post adapted for litting engagement in an aperture or seat 16 formed in the retaining member 2. The engaging member 15, being eccentric with reference to the shaft 11, is engageable in the seat 16 only when the shaft is positioned accurately at the proper adjustment.

In Figs. 5 and 6 is illustrated another form in which the engaging member and seat may be embodied, and wherein the engaging member, here designated as 15, is of irregular form, and adapted to register accurately in the seat 16, so that they may be engaged only at the proper rotary adjustment of the shaft.

The handle members 10 are provided with suitable dials 10n bearing indicating devices, and the adjacent portions of the arms 9 are provided with position indexes 9a, the said dial and positioning index associated with the shaft 11 cooperating to provide the desired guide for positioning the engaging member 15, and the dial and positioning index on the other arm being effective to produce a symmetrical appearance and a means of confusing an uninitiated or unauthorized operator.

From the foregoing description the operation. of the device is obvious, it being understood that, in order to effect adjustment of the retaining member 2 upon the mounting thereof for the purpose of positioning or removing it, the housing and shaft 11 must be placed in the proper rotary positions, and the latter then pushed inwardly to engage the member 15 in the seat 16. This locks the retaining member for rotation with the operating me1nber,-wliich comprises the housing 7, arms 9 and handles 10,-so that the device may be attached to or removed from the mounting by rotary movement. By such operation, which may be effected conveniently by manipulation of the arms1 the retaining member may be screwed down until its flange makes sealing engagement with the upper extremity of the mounting. The 'shaft then being retracted by' outward movement of its connected When the -device is' in this condition removalY of the retaining 'member'2 is inhibited,*as

it'will not be rotated by the frictional eiigagement of the operating member, and it is'coinpletely housed so that it cannot be manipulated in Yan unauthorized fashion.

To effect its detachment, therefore, the opera-ting member must be placed at the proper angular position relativetoit, the ylock shaft 11 pl-acedat the proper rotary adjustment,

and the Aengagingy member y'15 shifted. into seat 16 by the. proper longitudinal vmovement of the shaft. l

The cooperation of the packingy ring 6 with the other parts ofthe device is effective toy prevent leakage ofl steam between" the retaining member andy the operatingmember, thus keeping thesteamfin the circulating system ofthe engine and protecting the locking mechanism from theeffeets thereof. With the `device in position onthe nipple the retaiiiing-me-ans ofthe display device is concealed in a positionwhereit is inaccessible so thattheft thereof is ,pre-

vented. Moreovery the closure permits lthe positioning of the bulb or temperature re-krv sponsive'element of an indicating device such as apinotor meter in yproper position in the radiator nipple so that'it yWillperform its normal functions. y

p Forthe purpose'of facilitating operation of the device in theda'rk, an audible or tactile indicating' means mayy be incorpol rated in the structure as illustratedlinFigs. 8 to 12 inclusive.` In. this arrangement the arm 9 Opposite that housingthe lock shaft is longitudinally: bored to form a channel for the receptionof alongitudinally slidable tappet 17 having a reduced portion 17LL forming al detecting member yoperating in av reduced bore through the wall ofthehousing eportion 7." The lengthjof this detecting portion is such that it projects beyond the,"

intiernal face of the housing Z when the shoulder formed' by the end of ythe tappet` is in abutmentrwith the endof the"borein.

which it slides. yThe f tappet is jyieldably heldr in this position by a spring 18 which is retained under compression by a collar 19 carried on the end of the handle member 10, which is rotatably held in "thebore by a pin 2O riding in a reduced annular channel portion of the handle shank.

The outer cylindrical face of the retaining member 2 is provided with a series of depressions 2a arranged to align and register :with the-projecting detecting member 17@ of the taplpet 17 and' permit the terminal shoulder of the latter to contact with the end wall of the bore.

v,These depressions 2"L are provided in a code series, which, as v'illustrated' for example in Fig. 9 reading'from the'top the series is l1, 2, t, 5, 4, 2, L1, and constitute location guides rwhereby the rotary position ofv tlie ,operatingl member relative yto the retaining member may be determined by one having knowledge of the code arrangement. As theoperating member is rotated,

the detecting "member 17a will' traverse thev peripheral face of the retaining member and fallfinto the successive depressions 2a successively, producing at each 'such occurrence an audible click, or animpulse perceptible vkto the touch, caused by the impact ofl the shoulder of the tappet against the end wall of the bore. VThe position of the lockv seat .'16 or 16 vrelativei'go the guidev depressions being known to the operatorgfh'e will'be enabled t0 position the operatingfmemberat proper rotary position to permit engage'- ineiitof the locking member in the seat upon proper rotary adjustment of the shaftr vzio 11,` which, once the operating member ris in Y proper position, may be effected entirely by the sense of touch. Obviously the lock seat may be positioned opposite any one of the guide depressions 2.a or'opposite a yspace intermediate any of them, and in this way, as well as by the great number of ypermutations V,and `combinations permitted by arrangements of the guide depressions, a

.practically limitless numbervof variations is obtainable. The end of ythe detecting meniber ltisr suitably formed top'ermitits being cammed out of the guide depressioiif-i` upon rotation ofthe operating member, and the lock seat 16 may be' likewise suitably formed .to accommodate 'movement' of vthe member 17a by having portions of the wall in the path of the latter suitably channelled, as designated at' 16a. guide depressions should be formed adjacent the lockseat so as to make the latter oneof the series, so far as operation of the tappet is concerned.

InFig. 12I`have shown a fashion in which this form of mechanism may be adapted to fuse onfan internally threaded tube or conduit.` In this vembodiment the' retaining member 2 is peripherally threaded for en- Y. gagement within the threaded mounting` portion 1, and is supplementedwith an eX- Obviously,

-iiol teriorportion 2f which Carries the lower packing ring andthe upper packing ring '6, andhas a skirt portion depending to enmember compass the upper part ot the mounting l, and upon which the mounting' portion 7 is rotatably guided. ln this encompassing portion 2 are provided the loch seat 143 and guide depressions i2 and with it cooperates the retaining' ring 8 which holds the operating' member in` assembly thereon.

Certain ot the features hei'ein disclosed but not claimed are claimed in my co-pending' applications Ser. No. 9,402, tiled October i5, '1920, and Sefial No. '4r-11,5355, bled September 18 i920.

l claim:

l. An attachment `ot the class described comprising an operating member having a. housing' portieri and laterally extending' .handles for manipulation thereof, a retaining member rotatably vmounted Within the housing' portion and equipped .tor attachment to a suitable mounting' by rotary movement, and locking' means operable .b v one ot said handles for engagin 'the retaining` member ttorl rotation With ythe operatingl member.

2. rllhe combination with a receptacle ofl` an operating' member having' a housing. portion arranged to :torni a closure thcie'tor, retaining'` member disposed Within the housing' 'lor adjustable engagement Withthe receptacle, means cooperating 1 'ith the retaining' member and the housing' to torni a seal therebetween `While permitting their relativ rotation, said operating member including' means 'toi' manipulating the housing and means itorloclring' 'tln` re raining' member i'or rotation therewith.

in insti .ment retaining closure tor automobile radiators comprising trie combination ot ahousing' member and a retaining member mounted (io-axially 'for relative rotation, said retaining member` having' a top aperture to receive an instrument and being' adapted tor attachment to a radiator nipple by rotary movement, the housing' member having',portionsetifective to close saidaperture and to prevent access to the retaining member, and loch' means carried by die housing' and movable thereon toivard the common axis 't'or engagement with the retaining member to pf :mit rotation thereolz by the operating member.

,-i. En a closure device ot the. class described, the combination ot a retaining member arranged ttor attachment 'to a suitable i'eceptacle by rotary movement, an operating mounted thereon for co-axial rotary movement and adapted to 'form a closure 'tor such receptacle, the retaining member being provided .vith a laterally opening' seat et predetermined form, and a radially shittable engaging member movably mounted on the operating member and adapted to be positioned by rotary movement tor fittingreg'istration with said seat.

5. Ina device of the'class described, the

combination of a retaining' member adapt-ed for screw thread connection to a mounting, an operating member housing' the same and conjoined thereto for relative rotary movement, locking means for connecting' said members to permit rotation ot the retaining` member by the ope 'ating' member, and means tor producing an audible indication ot their relative position.

6. ln a device ot the class described, .the combination of a rotary retaining member adapted to engage a mounting' by rotary movement, rotary operating member, said members carrying cooperating locking means for inter-engaging' the tvvo. and signal means forindica-ting relative location or` the locking' means on the respective members.

7. ln a device ot the class described, the combinationot. a rotatable retaining member adapted to engage a mounting by rotary movement, a rotatable operating' member including' laterally extending handles Wherebv it may be actuated. locking means operable in one ot said handles tor engaging' the operating and retaining members, and signal means operable in another of said handles lto indicate relative position of said members.

8, A theft preventing closure device comprising' the combination ot a retaining member adapted to screw onto a suitable mounting, a cap member rotatably connected with the retaining member and shaped to house the samcclocking means supported on the cap member 'for connecting it to the retaining' member, and signal means carried by the retaining member and cap member for operative association and effective upon relative movement of the tvv-o to produce audible signals as guide tor the positioning of the locking' means.

ln an automobile radiator closure, the

'closure- 'for the nipple and the end ot Athe retaining' member, said operating member including' symmetrically disposed manipulating' handles extending radially therefrom. and locking means operable in one of said handles to lock the operating member to the retaining member.

l0. An automobile radiator closure comprising a tubular member having' an annular ivall portion, a cap adapted for rotation on said tubular member, said cap having' a cover portion arranged to form a closure for the end of said tubular member and a skirt portion arranged to encompass the annular Wall, operating handles extending laterally 'from said skirt portion and adapted for manipulation to rotate the cap, abolt movably mounted ingone rof said handles and adapted to engage the annular wall portion to lock the cap to the tubular member, and means at the extremity of said handle whereby said bolt may be actuated.

1].. ln an automobile radiator closure, the

combination witha nipple of a cap adapted to form a closure therefonsaid cap havingv symmetrically arranged laterally extending arms whereby it may be rotated on the nipple, and engaging, means for securing the cap to the nipple, said kengaging means including a look member 'housed in one of said arms and an operating member e-ngageable at the outer extremity ot said arm for operating' said lock member.

l2. As an article of manufacture, aclosure for automobile radiators comprising' the combination with a tubular cylindrical supporting member, of a can rotatably associated therewith as' a closure, said cap being provided with laterally extending handles whereby it may be rotated to effect its a`ttachment and detachment, said cap afford' ing a mounting for an ornament `between said handles, and a locking bolt movably housed in a handle and adapted to be yprojected into lockingA engagement with the cylindrical member to secure the ca p thereto. 13. A radiator closure comprising a cap portion formingr a cover for the radiator nipple, an operating arm extending,- laterally from the cap whereby it may be' manipulated, and lockingmeans housed within the arm and operable :trom the outer end thereof, said locking?T means having an engaging portion housed in the cap and movable into and out of engagement with the nipple for' connecting and disconnecting the cap and nipple.

14. A radiator closure coniprising` a cap body forming a cover for the radiator nip` ple, a collar having engagement with the nipple and rotatable connection with the'cap body, an operatingvv arm extending from the cap body whereby the'cap may be adjusted, and locking` means housed within the armand operable from the outer end thereof for v connecting the collar and the cap body to retain them against relative rotation, said locking means including a shi'ftable shaft in the handle and an engaging element movable thereby 'into and out of engagement with the collar.

15. A radiator closure comprising a cap 16. theft-preventing-r attachment for automobile radiators, comprising the combina'- tion ofakk substantially cylindrical tubular member provided with a laterally opening recess, a cap rotatably associated with said tubular member and including a cover portion arranged to close the end thereof, and a depending skirt portion adapted toencomvpassthe tubular member and cover said recess, a sealing; gasket cooperating with the tubular member and cover portion, and a movable lockingmember housed below the .cover portion and arranged for cooperation with the wall of said recess to secure the cap against rotation relative to the tubular member.;

17. In a theft preventing device, the comvb'ination of a tubular retaining member engageable with .a suitable mounting by rotary movement, an operating member housing the retaining' member and rotatable relative thereto, and engaging` means housed by the operating member at the outer side of the retainino' member and adapted for en gagement with 'thel retaining` member to permit rotation of the `latter by the former, said operating member closing,I the end of the tubular retaining member to prevent access of vapor there-.trom to the engaging means.

operating member to prevent access of steam ,from the tube to the engaging means.

19.` An automobile radiator closure comprisingr the combination of a retaining mem# rber adapted Jfor attachment to a radiator nipple, an operating; member housing the retaining member and 'covering an end thereofA to form a closure for the nipple, means rotatably connecting 4the: retaining and operatingr members, a sealing device cooperating with the retaining and operating members to prevent leakage of steam, be-

tween them, and an engaging; member concealed bythe retaininga and operating members for securing them ,for rotation together.

In ytestimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presencey of two subscribing witnesses. f

` JOHN F. VVHlTE. Witnesses: y

FRANonsK. GrrLLnsrrE,

C. S.M Burma 

